The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-10-24
Arbitration Instead of Wsr.

Peace societies, peace congresses, ETC., are
not new things in the world. People have
been accustomed to look upon those who
participated in them as impractical en-
thusiasts who, no matter how commendable
their purposes, were wasting time that
might be valuably employed in another
way Now, however, it seems as if a really
practical step is being taken toward the sub
stitution of arbitration for war in the settle
meut of disputes between two of the great
est nations, when negotiation has failed to
reach a satisfactory result. A few days ago
there landed in New York three members of
the British Parliament, Sir John Swinburne,
O. V. Morgan and Haley Stewart, who
will be joined by Sir Lion Playfair, Lord
Herschell, Cabell Wright, Sir George Camp
bell and three official delegates of the
Trades Union Congress. The members of
Parliament represent 80 members of that
body The purpose of the delegation i'll
coming to the United States is to present to
Congress an appeal for perpetual peace be
tween Great Britain and the United States
1t is proposed that the precedent set by the
Alabama claims case be followed hereafter,
and that a treaty to that effect be entered
into.
II is peculiarly appropriate that the first
attempt TO secure lasting peace between
themselves should be made by the two great
English-speaking peoples. They have like
institutions and to great degree like
objects, their language and literature are
the same, and their peoples are devoted
entirely to industrial pursuits. Among all
the people of the civilized world, it is only
the Americans and English who are not
born to be soldiers With them soldering
IS trade or profession which a man may
adopt if his tastes run that way with other
peoples it is a national business, in which
every man must perforce take part.
Though both have been engaged in many
wars, they are nevertheless the best repre-
sentatives of the peaceful policy necessary
to the wel-being of industrial and CONNER
cial pursuits Their peoples love peace, and
it cannot be doubted that if the matter
were submitted to vote the mission of the
English delegation to Congress would meet
with the hearty Endorsement of both ma
tions. In this country it can meet the con-
domination only of that class of interested
the doctrine that England is the arch-enemy
of all mankind, corrupting with her gold
where she cannot conquer with her bayonets,
in order that their sophistical protection
arguments may be addressed to minds
tainted with hatred and distrust of every
thing English.
Gen. Sheridan recently expressed the
opinion that the appliances of war were be-
off when armies could no longer be put in
the field against each other, and war would
end His opinion is perhaps not justified by
facts, as battles become less and less bloody
ton to the numbers engaged. The small
standing armies of century ago, however,
have grown into millions, involving an
enormous outlay, and here lies the best
augury of disarmament and peace Even a
victorious war may mean bankruptcy, as
came near being the case with Russia in her
last campaign against Turkey. To Russia's
shaken credit may be due the peace of
Europe to-day.
To the sentiment in favor of a peaceful
settlement of disputes aroused by the bur-
den of taxation made necessary by great
armies and immense war debts, such an
agreement as that proposed between the
United States and England would no doubt
materially add, and it might in time lead
to far-reaching results